However, his Arkansas team has found plenty of success playing against the Bulldogs in recent years. The Razorbacks have won 13 of the last 14 meetings between the two schools including the last nine games.

With his team still needing to win out to have a chance at a bowl game, Petrino knows Saturday's contest is crucial.

"We are looking forward to going and playing Mississippi State," Petrino said. "They are a team that plays great defense and has been improve offensively all year. It should be a challenge for us."

The Hogs are coming off a 34-21 loss at South Carolina two weeks ago and will face a similar defensive scheme. Gamecock defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson was at MSU last season and the team has kept many of the concepts learned under his tutelage.

"They have a very good defense," Petrino said of State. "They are very similar to some of the things they do to South Carolina. They will go back and forth between a four man front and a three man front. They will pressure you. They try to get an extra guy down in the box somehow to try to stop the run."

Petrino is also worried about how his young defense will fair is slowing down the Bulldogs rushing attack with Anthony Dixon.